shadders said:
Doesn't volume sold affect pricing? With hifi since 20 years ago, having declined to a low plateau, then the cost reductions are much less proportionally. So equipment is expected to be more expensive.?
Regards,
Shadders.
Yes, certainly higher volume in general means lower pricing.
My point is though that, with technological advances paired with savings thanks to streamlined manufacturing and distribution hifi is behind other fields. We've so far only seen benefits in ultra budget end. It looks as though this status quo is welcome by manufacturers who gladly keep their pricing at current levels.
Digital revolution that's taken place in music industry so far hasn't had much impact on hifi components pricing. Considering what happened to TV market along with advances such as HD, 3D, 4K, HDR and what it did to pricing we're way behind.
I applaud Chinese attempts at making cheap DACs, headphone amps etc. Long term we will all benefit as it's going to move up the market.
Hifi have all the appeal to move mainstream. People listen music and expect more in terms of quality. It's the industry's interests keeping the prices at current levels and portraying it as niche. After all if you call it audiophile you can charge twice as much.
I hope Matthew doesn't mind this in his thread but I only originally responded to Major's question.